Hello everyone,
We wanted to share an update on our beloved Cassie as she continues her fight at the Ohio State University – Ross Heart Hospital ICU. As many of you know, this journey began unexpectedly one week ago today.
On Friday, April 11th, Cassie underwent scheduled elective open-heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve. During the procedure, she experienced a tragic and sudden complete heart failure. Despite efforts including a triple bypass surgery, her heart muscle was sadly deemed non-viable, and she was placed on ECMO (a form of life support) to sustain her.
By April 13th, Cassie was placed on the heart transplant list and fast-tracked due to the urgency of her condition. We experienced the emotional rollercoaster of this process when an initial donor match on April 14th unfortunately couldn’t proceed due to donor complications. Hope was renewed on April 15th when another match was found, deemed viable, and approved by Cassie’s surgeon that evening. The new heart arrived late that night, and the transplant surgery began.
In the early hours of April 16th (around 1:43 AM), we received the wonderful news that the transplant surgery was successful. Later that day, Cassie showed encouraging signs, remaining stable and even opening her eyes for the first time since the initial surgery, with her new heart functioning at 100%. However, this journey continues to have its challenges. That evening (around 9:45 PM), Cassie experienced a cardiac arrest lasting approximately four minutes. She was stabilized and placed back on partial ECMO for heart and lung support.
Early on April 17th, another complication arose when Cassie developed compartment syndrome in her left leg – a condition involving dangerous pressure buildup. She underwent an emergency fasciotomy procedure to relieve the pressure. This procedure confirmed significant muscle damage, and the doctors are concerned about the long-term function of the leg, acknowledging that amputation may become necessary. Cassie remained stable throughout the rest of the 17th.
As of today, Friday, April 18th, Cassie remains stable but is still in extremely critical condition in the ICU. There have been some small, positive steps forward: the bleeding in her leg is being managed, and progress is being made in reducing excess fluid in her body. She continues to require ECMO support. We were deeply encouraged to see her open her eyes again today during visits, and we were able to speak with her.
Cassie is fighting incredibly hard, and we know she feels the immense wave of love and support surrounding her. This remains a very critical time, and the road ahead is uncertain.
We will continue to provide daily updates on this page. To allow the immediate family to focus fully on Cassie and navigate this challenging time, we kindly ask that you please check here for the latest information before reaching out directly with questions.
Your continued prayers, positive thoughts, and support mean everything to Cassie and our entire family. Thank you for holding her in your hearts.
With gratitude,
The Family
Comments
78 responses to “An Update on Cassie’s Health Journey – April 18th”
Well done will keep praying thank you for the update. Mema
We continue to pray for Cassie, Kurt and family.
Curt, Connor and Cole, our prayers are with you all for Cassie’s full and speedy recovery. May God be with you and her doctors..
Prayer are going up for Cassie and all of you guys
Dear Cassie and family, I continue to pray and keep you close to my heart. All my love, Dana Patterson and family.
We have you all in our prayers…constantly! Not a moment goes by in our day that Cassie, Curt, Connor and Cole, and the entire family, is not in our thoughts.
And we will continue to pray!
Keeping you all in our prayers! Thank you for the updates
Dear Cassie and family, I continue to pray and keep you close to my heart. All my love, Dana Patterson and family.
Continued prayers and strength are being sent Cassie’s and your family’s way. May God bring peace and healing.
Jace, our prayers are with you, your family and Cassie. Sending you much strength during this difficult time.
The Van Horn family will continue to pray for you all! We ask for God’s miraculous healing, protection, guidance, and comfort.
Continuing to pray for Cassie, the family and those treating her.
The Van Horn family will continue to pray for you all! We ask for God’s miraculous healing, protection, guidance, and comfort.
Many hugs to you all.
Continued prayers for complete healing!
Praying for Cassie and the family!!!
Jeff and I have been praying each day for you as you walk this journey.
Our love to all of you.
Jeff and Jennifer Conner
We are praying for a full recovery. You are in our hearts and thoughts every minute.
Hugs and Prayers for Cassie, Kurt, Cole, and Connor. Know that you are being lifted up with many prayers and encouraging thoughts. ❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Prayers prayers prayers. A NEW heart!
Thanking God for modern medicine.
Know we are in the wings and truly cheering you on Cassie. You’re so strong, young and healthy. Kurt and family, our prayers are with you all.
Gods blessings, Charlie and Peggy
We are all praying for Cassie, Kurt, Cole, and Conner. You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly.
Our daily prayers are for you Cassie, Kurt, and family as you make this challenging journey.
The Henley/LeVeck Family will continue to pray for healing and comfort for the entire family. You are not alone, our Lord and Savior walk with you and do all the wonderful people that are praying and reaching out to your family. Much love and many prayers to you all!!!
Cassie and Kurt,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Your community is here to support you. Together, we have the strength and love to help you during this time.
We are praying for Cassie and your family! May God carry you through the next days and weeks . Praying for a complete recovery.
We continue to pray for y’all and petition the throne of heaven on Cassie’s behalf!
John and Kelli Hunt
Power of Prayer is HUGE. We are thinking and praying for you Cassie everyday. You are a strong woman and have alot of fight in you, please know that we are all fighting for you. God Bless this Amazing Family and everyone please continue to Pray.
LITB Cassie! I can’t stop thinking about you and your family! Sending strength, hope and much Love! Patty
Praying for the entire family.
Praying for healing and strength for Cassie, for peace to cover, Jackie, Kurt, Connor and Cole and family. Cassie is resilient. Prayers for her health care team.
I found out about this the other evening and have been praying hard ever since. Love and prayers for the entire family ❤️
Praying for Cassie and the whole family! ❤️🙏
My Sweetest Cassie,
Praying continously around the clock for you to keep fighting. I love you with all my heart.
Jeff and I have you and your family in our prayers! There is power in prayer 🙏 One day at a time!
Peace, Jeff and Elsa
Many prayers and love being sent to you all and to Cassie for healing and full recovery from CT. Sending strength and love to you all. ❤️🩹
You are in our prayers, Cassie! You are so strong and determined. Keep fighting!! My family has been thinking about your family and praying for the best outcome.
We are praying for strength and resilience for Cassie in her recovery. Grant wisdom and discernment to their doctors and nurses, that they may provide the best care possible to this sweet soul. Sending our prayers and love to Cassie Kurt and the boys and sweet Jackie.
Beau and Robin Smith
Grant wisdom and discernment to their doctors and nurses, that they may provide the best care possible.
Continued prayers for healing for Cassie and all your family.
Thank you for this update. We are praying for Cassie and the entire family!
Praying for Cassie and her family!
Praying for Gods healing hands to be placed over her and guide the doctors.
Keeping Cassie and the entire family in our prayers. ❤️
Cassie and Kurt, John and I are sending you all prayers and strength. Keep fighting and we’ll keep praying and sending positivity your way…
Thank you for your prayers and support!!
Saying extra prayers for Cassie and the family. God has his hands on Cassie, surgeons and nurses. My love and prayers always.
Sending love and prayers to you Cassie and family!! You have meant the world to so many students over the years, we love you!
Many prayers are being said for Cassie and the rest of you. She’s been such a powerful force at school and in the community for so long, and is loved and appreciated, by students and parents alike. Keep fighting!!
This evening I witnessed Cole calling this a “one in a million” ordeal followed by calling you, Cassie, one in a million. You are well loved and prayed over. Your strength is very admirable.
Love, Meg
We are deeply moved by Cassie’s courage and strength through such an unimaginable journey. It is hard to even fathom what you’re all going through, but please know that our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, hugs and prayers to Cassie and the family. Prayers for a healthy successful recovery. We you all.
Sending love, thoughts and prayers for Cassie and your family during this tough time. Appreciate your posts. Love to all of you! Aunt Marilyn🙏💕
Prayers for the entire family and for Cassie’s continued strength and improvement. A new heart! Thank God for modern medicine. Please let Cassie know you all and especially her, are in Charlie and my continued prayers.
God blessings, Charlie & Peggy
Love you all! Sending big hugs and prayers from Texas. Jeff and Jeri Norus and family.
Sending prayers to Cassie, Kurt and family.
Continuing to send prayers to Cassie, Kurt and family.
Keeping you all close in prayer. We were so sorry to hear this but believe in the healing power of God. May He grant you strength in the coming days.🙏
Our family is praying for Cassi and the family. Cassi and I share the same birthday and I expect another shared birthday this year. We send our love. Christopher also sends his thoughts and prayers.
Sending prayers for Cassie and the entire family.
Love you Cassie and the family. So sorry for what you are all going through.
Cassie, praying you feel God wrapping His arms around you and giving you strength to heal. Kurt, Cole, Conor – praying for comfort and peace as you take each day in this journey. Karen and Warren Long
Our hearts are full of love and prayers for Cassie and your beautiful family.
We continue to think about and pray for your family ❤️ Thank you for the updates ❤️
God will wrap his loving arms around you Cassie! Lean on him. Praying for you and your family!
Sending prayers to you all! ❤️
Please know the entire Hanson family is lifting Cassie and your entire family up in prayer. Joe, Cathy, Sarah, Emily and Mussie!
Prayers for Cassie and all of you surrounding her with your love! ❤️🩹❤️🩹
Thank you everyone for your prayers
Sending healing prayers to Cassie!
Prayers of comfort for your family.
Sending prayers for recovery and for the whole family as you navigate all of this!
God PLEASE bless this family with the miracles you perform each and every day🙏✝️💔🥹 I’m a true believer and have witnessed your blessed workings, in Jesus’ name AMEN🥹🙏✝️
Thinking of you and your family. Praying for a full recovery.
We continue 2 pray for Cassie that she will be granted strength & endurance to overcome & have a full recovery. We continue 2 pray for the whole medical team as well that they will make decisions that are most beneficial to Cassie. Our hearts go out to Cassie & her family.🙏❤️🙏 Love, The Turner family (Scott, Robin, Ryan & Drew)
Joy and I are praying for Cassie. We feel so sad for what your family is going through. We have been asking Jack for daily updates.
Hang in there.
Love and prayers from Jay, Joy, and Jack Soper🙏🙏🙏
We continue to pray for you Cassie; as well as, for your family & medical staff. May God be with all of you giving you love, support, strength, peace, and discernment to heal you, Cassie! God bless you all, The Deerwesters (Todd, Kris, Skylar, Schae & Samuel)
Kurt, Cassie and family – thinking of you and sending prayers for strength and healing.
Matthew 18:19-20
New King James
Version (NKJV)
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth
concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
Countless people are praying for you Cassie and your family! Keep fighting lady, you are strong! We love you!!! ♥️🙏🏻♥️
Just hearing about this via FB messenger from your DG sisters. So sad to hear of these tragic events. Praying for God’s mighty hands to wrap Cassie and the entire family with His comfort and strength as this journey continues. May His healing powers surpass all understanding and bring Cassie to a complete recovery with her new heart, protecting from further complications and to restore all function to her leg. May He give your family endurance in each day and that you will continue to be supported by angels from every side-friends-community-amazing healthcare providers. Remember that when times feel just too difficult that God will take those burdens from you and display His miraculous powers. Much love to you all- Julie North-A Gamma Epsilon Sister from years ago.
Sending you so many prayers and hugs, Cassie! All of your NWOCCG family is praying for you as well!